We’ll ask again, is LeBron James better than Michael Jordan?

Five-Year-Old 76ers Fan is Convinced He Made LeBron James Miss a Shot0:39

Five-year-old Philadelphia 76ers fan Eli Bloom convinced himself his heckling made LeBron James miss a shot during the 76ers’ 143 -120 win the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, February 10. According to his father, Matt, Eli is also a huge LeBron James fan – until LeBron lines out against the 76ers. “He was having the time of his life at yesterday’s game, and he only hit those really high decibel levels a few times,” Matt said on Monday. “The guy next to us was calling him the defensive player of the game,” he added. Credit: Matt Bloom via Storyful

February 11th 2019

a month ago

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*** BESTPIX *** SAN ANTONIO,TX - OCTOBER 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a turnover against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on October 27 , 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

It’s the basketball debate that just won’t die.

On the eve of LeBron James’ 15th All-Star appearance, The King has copped an almighty serve from an NBA veteran over the ongoing GOAT argument floating over his head.

Even though it’s nigh impossible to compare players who never met on the court, the hubbub over whether James can finish his career a better basketballer than Michael Jordan refuses to simmer.

But for six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen, there’s not a shadow of doubt who the game’s all-time great is.

“When I look at LeBron, he’s not what Michael was as a player. He’s not even what Kobe Bryant was as a player,” Pippen, who played against LeBron for four years before retiring in 2008, said in an interview with First Take.

“So when you talk about trying to compare Michael’s instinct, his ability to take over games, his ability to want to have that last shot … LeBron doesn’t have that gene.

“I can sit here and say today, I watched LeBron the other night, the game was on the line and he made little or no effort to go after the ball.

"When I look at LeBron, he's not what Michael (Jordan) was as a player. He's not even what Kobe Bryant was as a player."

“It’s that clutch gene. I’m not taking it away that he don’t know how to win, and he’s not willing to have the ball in his hands, but the players that have that clutch gene, they’re going to go get that ball.”

Sportscaster Stephen A. Smith this year said Jordan’s “mentality and heart” was what inched him ahead of James in the GOAT debate.

“If we’re talking ability, who the hell is going to argue LeBron James isn’t on the Mount Rushmore of the NBA, but what’ we’re talking about here is that extra little something inside your chest.”

When they ask who is the GOAT again.Source:Getty Images

In 2015, Jordan shot a barb at LeBron as the GOAT debate revved up. James stated his desire to go down as the NBA’s greatest, but MJ wasn’t too keen on his all-timer crown go to someone who has half the championship rings.

“If I was in my prime, could I beat LeBron in a one-on-one game? No question!” he said.

But leading Cleveland to an electric drought-breaking championship in 2016 was what LeBron felt pushed him over the line in the most tedious debate seen in the NBA.

“That one right there made me the greatest player of all time. That’s what I felt. I was super, super ecstatic to win one for Cleveland because of the 52-year drought,” LeBron recalled. “The first wave of emotion was when everyone saw me crying, like, that was all for 52 years of everything in sports that’s gone on in Cleveland. And then after I stopped, I was like -- that one right there made you the greatest player of all time.”